A yearning to play softball 55 years ago lead Billy Flowers down a path of impressive civic duty.

In August 1953 Flowers joined the Demopolis Lions club knowing that being a member would allow him the opportunity to play for the organization’s softball team. What he didn’t know was that more than half a century later he’d help more people than anyone would care to count.

“I enjoy it,” he said of being a Lion. “You’ve got to enjoy it to stay in it that long.”

Saturday, Flowers and the rest of the Demopolis Lions Club will hold their annual pancake breakfast consisting of pancakes, smoked sausage, fresh fruit cup, butter and syrup at the First Baptist Church in Demopolis.

Flowers anticipates about 300 people to flock to the church between 7 and 10 a.m. to aid in one of the club’s largest annual fundraisers.

“We support Alabama Sight, which provides vision screenings and getting glasses to school children who might otherwise not get them,” he said. “We support the East/West baseball team and there are a lot of local causes the proceeds go to support.”

Price of tickets are $7 each and can be purchased from any Lions Club member or at the door. Proceeds will go to benefit the many different Lions Club projects. Also, there will be a collection box provided for anyone to deposit used eyeglasses, glass cases or hearing aids that they no longer need.

For more information contact Lion President Allen Bishop at 289-6810 or Ken Sherwood at 289-4313.